BETTER SECOND TIME AROUND PAIR BACK ON TV FOR 'MARRIED 2'.

Byline: ERIC LEACH

Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY -- After friends arranged for them to meet at a party, Brenda and David Galvez decided to get married in October 2001 and auditioned for a television documentary called "Marriage in America."

They were among nine couples, including same-sex couples, religiously diverse couples, biracial couples, whose marriages and relationships were broadcast nationwide on the documentary.

After "Marriage in America" aired on A&E, the Galvezes found strangers recognizing them at their jobs or when they went out shopping. It was like they were celebrities.

They lived together at first in a mobile home and apartments in the San Fernando Valley, then bought a home in Palmdale, and then moved to Simi Valley two years ago, when director Michael Apted began filming "Married in America 2."

The follow-up documentary showing how the Galvezes and the other couples have been doing lately was aired nationwide Wednesday on the Hallmark Channel.

"We just kind of forget that the cameras are there. It's not that hard," said David, 31. "Being on national television makes us feel good. There's nothing really to hide.

"It is what it is. It's reality. It's interesting to see all the changes. I'm looking forward to the next installment."

Apted is also known for his work on another documentary, "Up," which follows the lives of British schoolchildren, and for his directing of such feature films as "Gorillas in the Mist," "Gorky Park," the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough" and "Coal Miner's Daughter."

David met Brenda when she was living in Northridge and he in Sylmar, after his first partner was killed in a car accident.

While some of the original couples have faced serious problems or have separated, David and Brenda say their lives continue to get better, rating their marriage at an eight or nine on a scale of 10.

They are raising their 3-year-old daughter, Bianca, and David's 12-year-old son, David Jr., from his previous relationship.

Brenda is a merchandise team manager at Macy's in the Northridge Fashion Center, and David has his own business installing home-theater and satellite television systems.

"We have our little arguments, but we're not really struggling like we used to," David said. "Everything's really coming around now. Over the past two years it seems like it's getting better and better."

"It was a very good move to Simi Valley," he said. "The community is so nice. It's good for the kids."

As for his wife, he said, "I had nothing when I met my wife" seven years ago. "I didn't look at the future. She's been my rock. ... I try to treasure every moment I have with her."

Brenda, 27, said the move from Palmdale to Simi Valley cut down on her commute and gave her more time with her family.

"Both of us are really happy how we have progressed in life. Our quality of life is much better in Simi Valley," she said. "... It's a quiet community. We feel safe."

Film crews followed them around for weeks to make the first and then the second documentary, and she is happy with what it reveals, even if hundreds of thousands of strangers know about their marriage.

"So far it's really all good things," she said. "I'm comfortable talking about it. It's kind of interesting when people recognize us."

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David and Brenda Galvez watch themselves on the Hallmark Channel on Wednesday night in the follow-up documentary "Married in America 2."

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News